The Word Habibi (حبيبي): How To Use It

The word habibi (حبيبي) is one of the most common words in Egyptian Arabic.

Today we are talking about how to use it, as well as some example phrases to practice.

Let’s get started!

The Word Habibi (حبيبي): A Quick Background

Habibi (and its feminine version habibti) is an extremely common word in the Arabic-speaking world. Egyptians specifically use it daily, and it’s a word that can possibly show up in just about any conversation.

7ob means love. Conjugated, habiby means “my lover”, while 7abibty is “my lover” if you are talking to a female.

That said, Egyptians use this word in so many ways, that it’s not only a romantic thing. We mention this in the very last section.

In fact, that’s the exact reason why habibi is so important to use: the word is pretty much used on a daily basis.

The Word Habibi (حبيبي): Different Ways to Use It

There are two versions of habibi. Which one you use depends on entirely on whether you are speaking to a man or a woman.

Speaking directly to a man

Habibi / حبيبي

Speaking directly to a woman

Habibti / حبيبتي

A quick note: while all example phrases in Franco Arabic write the two words as habibi and habibti, you might also see the words as 7abibi and 7abibti.

If you want to learn why, be sure to check out our guide to writing in Franco-Arabic.

Let’s check out a few example phrases of people using the word habibi.

The Word Habibi (حبيبي): Example Phrases 

Please note that all these example phrases have two versions – one speaking to a man (habibi), and one speaking to a woman (habibti).

I don’t know habibi, what’s your opinion? : Mesh 3aref ya habiby, enta ra2yak eh?

مش عارف يا حبيبي..انتا ايه رأيك؟

I don’t know habibti, what’s your opinion? : Mesh 3aref ya habibty, enty ra2yek eh?

مش عارف يا حبيبتي..انتي ايه رأيك؟

Habibi, let’s go to the party tonight.. : Habiby, yala nro7 elhafla belil.

.حبيبتي ..يلا نروح الحفلة بليل

Habibti, let’s go to the partytonight. : Habibty yala nro7 elhafla belil.

.حبيبتي ..يلا نروح الحفلة بليل

Why are you doing that, habibi? : Bte3ml keda leh ya habiby?

بتعمل كده ليه يا حبيبي؟

Why are you doing that, habibti? : Bte3mli keda leh ya habibty?

بتعملي كده ليه يا حبيبتي؟

I love you habibi. : Ba7bek ya habibty.

.بحبك يا حبيبي

I love you habibi/habibti. : Ba7ebak ya habiby.

.بحبك يا حبيبتي

What do you want to do, habibi? : 3ayza te3mli eh ya habibty?

عايز تعمل ايه يا حبيبي؟

What do you want to do, habibti? : 3ayz te3mel eh ya habiby?

عايزة تعملي ايه يا حبيبتي؟

Habibi, what’s wrong? : Habiby, fe eh?

حبيبي…في ايه؟

Habibti, what’s wrong? : Habibty, fe eh?

حبيبتي…في ايه؟

You looked very tired, habibi. : Shaklak ta3ban awy ya habiby.

.شكلك تعبان قوي يا حبيبي

You looked very tired, habibti. : Shaklek ta3bana awy ya habibty.

.شكلك تعبانة قوي يا حبيبتي

The Word Habibi (حبيبي): Two More Ways to Use It

While habibi / habibti can be used in a number of ways (basically, anytime you either want to compliment somebody or address somebody directly that you like).

Keep in mind that while the “original” way to use it is with a lover, it can be used in a friendly way.

With that in mind, here are two more ways to use habibi / habibti that you should always keep in mind.

Saying thank you

Adding habibi / habibti to a sentence is a common way to say thanks in Egyptian culture. Check out some of the most common ways to say “thank you” in Egyptian Arabic.

A friendly way to address a friend

As we have mentioned, habibi / habibti doesn’t have to be used with a lover/partner – it could be just a friend

One important note: in Egyptian culture, habibi / habibti usually won’t be used between opposite genders. If it is, it will usually indicate real love. The one exception to this are somewhat liberal Egyptians talking between friends.

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Happy learning,

Cleo Lingo